Trades, Kalil, Hoyer, and Business 101

  The above chart speaks for itself-especially when you compare number four with number fifteen.  Don't be alarmed by the zero at twenty-two--it's a fluke, but Tom can trade out to make sure.


You may well have seen this in the Plain Dealer already (thanks guys), along with the article which also listed second and third-round all-pros.  There are fewer of these, of course duh.


Let me point out that the real downtrend in the above chart doesn't really start until number twenty eight, and more all-pros came from twenty six and twenty seven than from four.


True analysis requires more depth.  I'd like to see a by-position analysis, but I can tell you that there will be more left tackles and quarterbacks near the top, and more RIGHT TACKLES, RUNNING BACKS, WIDE RECIEVERS, DEFENSIVE ENDS, CORNERBACKS, AND LINEBACKERS near the bottom.


I know Richardson is awesome, but I think with my brain.


Now: Jim Miller is a former NFL Quarterback who is now a commentator and analyst on NFL Radio.


After Stephen Hill's atrocious short-shuttle and other non-40 drills at the combine, Pat Kirwin and others pretty much wrote him off as a track-star who wouldn't be able to get open short or intermediate in the NFL.


That's bad in general, but I need to point out to you in Oblivia that it's especially bad in a West Coast reciever.  You see, the West Coast offense is different from other offenses DO YOU UNDERSTAND?


However, yesterday Jim Miller took off on Stephen Hill.  He said that he gets open, he cuts, and that when he compares him to Floyd, he kind of thinks that Hill is actually the second best wide reciever in this draft.


Miller played in both vertical passing and West Coast offenses.  He doesn't pay as much attention to combine numbers as he does to game films.


His further comments were enlightening to me (since my mind wasn't closed).  Hill has two inches in height on most of the tallest NFL wide recievers, giving him an exponentially higher reach advantage to go with his superior leaping ability.


Miller described a "go" route, as an example.  In a go route, the wide reciever goes vertical along or a little outside the hash marks.  The cornerback tries to run with him and muscle him toward the sideline.


First, few, if any, NFL corners can keep up with Hill in a footrace.  Second, who's going to muscle this guy anywhere?  Finally, how accurate does the quarterback even have to be to drop a ball in that huge a window?  (Anywhere between the reciever and the sideline).


Jim didn't address the West Coast, but this fits.  Hill probably can't consistantly shake man coverage on crosses and slants, but can defeat bumps and push people around.  He can out-leap, out-reach, and wall defenders off.


Think about it: A cornerback HAS to stay behind him on these patterns, keeping him between himself and the quarterback.  If Hill gets deep leverage, his job is to turn vertical, and he can't be caught.  If the safety isn't there to keep a lid on him, it's over.


I am now a Stephen Hill fan.


Now, back to the chart:  Tom Heckert is a good judge of talent.  If the Browns were to trade down to fifteen for two more second round picks, he could get Hill, Wright, and/or Floyd-then maybe Cordy Glenn, Wilson, Levonte David...I could go on, with six picks on the top 70.


The plan before was to add some parts and pieces this season and contend in '13, but, IF Heckert trades, he can fill every hole on this team NOW.  The Browns could get right in Cinci/Baltimore/Pitt's grills.


If there aren't any great offers, then I'll be happy to get that stud Richardson.  But if somebody else wants him or Kalil bad enough to cough up some high picks, trading down is just common sense.


One last note: Kalil is a left tackle.  If the Browns were to draft him, he'd be angry.  He'd simmer and bubble throughout his rookie contract, and in the final year of it start making noise about left tackle money.  Who could blame him?


And then he'd be gone, for zero compensation.  That's the main reason why you don't draft another Joe Thomas and make him play right tackle.


On quarterback: Hoyer is the New England backup who fits the (sigh) WEST COAST system, ok?  Forget the other immobile guy with the huge arm that will require at least a third round pick.


Hoyer is quick, athletic, and ACCURATE.  He was described as a West Coast quarterback at his combine.


No, Belichick doesn't hate him.  That's why he said he's ready to trade EITHER of his backup quarterbacks!  He'll just take the best deal and keep whichever one is left.  


T H I N K!


YOU STAND CORRECTED.